Contactor for debubbling an ink

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a membrane contactor for debubbling (or degassing) a liguid. The membrane contactor comprises a perforated core tube, a plurality of hollow fiber membranes surrounding the tubes and having an end, a tube sheet affixing the end of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes to the core tube, and a shell surrounding the plurality of hollow fiber membranes and the tube sheet. A lumen side is defined by an internal surface of the membranes. A shell side is defined by the perforated core tube, an external surface of said membrane, and the shell. The membrane is a single layered, skinned, polymethylpentene hollow fiber microporous membrane. The skin is on the shell side.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A membrane contactor for debubbling or degassing a liquid comprising: 
       a perforated core tube for distributing said ink,  
       a plurality of hollow fiber membranes surrounding said tube and having an end,  
       a tube sheet being located at said end,  
       a shell surrounding said plurality of hollow fiber membranes and said tube sheet,  
       a lumen side being defined by an internal surface of said membrane,  
       a shell side being defined by said perforated core tube, an external surface of said membrane, and said shell, and  
       said membrane being a single layered, skinned, polymethylpentene hollow fiber microporous membrane, said skin being on the shell side for contact with said ink.  
     
     
       2. The contactor of  claim 1  wherein said core tube further comprises a block. 
     
     
       3. The contactor of  claim 1  further comprising a second tube sheet affixing a second end of said plurality of hollow fiber membranes to said core tube. 
     
     
       4. The contactor of  claim 1  wherein said core tube further comprises a diverting baffle. 
     
     
       5. A system for debubbling or degassing an ink comprising 
       an ink reservoir,  
       a membrane contactor in fluid communication with said reservoir, said membrane contactor comprising a perforated core tube, a plurality of hollow fiber membranes surrounding said tube and having an end, a tube sheet being located at said end, a shell surrounding said plurality of hollow fiber membranes and said tube sheet, a lumen side being defined by an internal surface of said membranes, a shell side being defined by said perforated core tube, an external surface of said membranes, and said shell, and said membrane being a single layered, skinned, polymethylpentene hollow fiber microporous membrane, said skin being on the shell side, and  
       an end use application in fluid communication with said contactor.  
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5  wherein said core tube further comprises a block. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 5  further comprising a second tube sheet affixing a second end of said plurality of hollow fiber membranes to said core tube. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 5  wherein said core tube further comprises a diverting baffle.